Very good job! I have installed sealants professionally for over 40 years, and have literally caulked miles of these type joints and cracks. You did almost a professional job.If you ever have to do this again I have a few minor suggestions to guarantee the maximum life out of your sealant. 1. Before installing the backer rod, wire brush the joints and cracks to clean them.( we wire brush even new concrete) you will be amazed at the amount of dirt. 2. The ultimate profile for sealant is “) (“ where the top and bottom of the diagram are the sides of the joint. And should 1/2 as deep as wide.. since you are using self leveling and not tooling , the top won’t have this shape so try to be as perfect as possible when installing the backer rod. Be very consistent on depth and don’t twist it. Don’t use a screw driver to install it, use something wider like a 5 in 1 painters tool. It’s much easier to get consistent depth. And less chance of puncturing the rod. Puncturing can cause bubbles. 3. Technically the meandering cracks should be opened up enough to use backer rod. Nobody is going to do that. ( even pros very rarely do that) the next best thing is a “V” shaped “ crack chaser”blade on a mini grinder. Much easier to follow the crack and does a better job. 4. Use primer. Most sealants say something like “ primer not required” but if you go to sikas professional website you will find they make a primer for concrete. As a professional if there is ever a premature failure the first thing the manufacturer will ask is “ did you prime” we prime almost everything. It is cheap insurance. Like I said you did a very good job and these minor things are pretty much the only things separating your work from professional work. BTW I was very impressed by your dad keeping most of the sealant in the crack when it came out of the tube unexpectedly. Most people would have panicked and sealant would be everywhere. Again good job.👍👍👍
Kudos to Gubba and dad for accomplishing so much in just 3½ hours and for a great result. I did my driveway almost exactly how they did it with similar results but I am going to offer a few details that might help. Above all, plan ahead. I bought everything online or via curbside pickup except 2 extra tubes of sealant. Take whatever time you need to gather materials and check the weather before you proceed. First, buy knee pads. Period. Also, estimate how much Sika sealer you will need and buy double that amount - you can always return leftovers later. Before going to the cash register be sure they are all the same color and that the back end is not damaged. The 29-oz. sealer is a better deal than 10.1 oz. but more importantly, you won’t be changing tubes in the middle of a long run. Buy new heavy duty caulk guns; your hands will thank you. Keep rags and paint thinner available and pay attention to what Gubba said about wearing gloves. I used mechanics’ gloves and removed them from time to time, only to get sealant on my hands; that stuff stains skin. Cracks vary significantly by width and depth. It is difficult to determine which backer rod will fit best until you try them. Use a paint stirrer to force the backer rod deep into the cracks. I have 1½ bags of ¾” x 20’ left over but used all of the ¼” x 100’ bag. I bought a 4½” angle grinder and wheel because I could not see opening wayward cracks with a big carpenters’ power saw. The smaller grinder worked great. Also, backer rod splits easier with scissors than with a utility knife.
After you have applied the Sikaflex and while it is tacky - NOT WET - apply a thin layer of sand to it. Blow if off the next day. This will cause your new joints to blend in perfectly with your concrete. Here is the list of materials I bought for sealing 105’ of expansion and wayward cracks: Home Depot (although Lowes’ prices are identical): • Husky Low Profile Work Knee Pads 1 @ $ 9.97 • Sikaflex Self-leveling Sealant, 29 oz. 3 @ $13.47 • Sikaflex Self-leveling Sealant, 10.1 oz. 5 @ $ 8.45 • HDX Heavy Duty Caulk Gun 1 @ $ 9.97 • HDX 29 oz. H.D. Caulk Gun 1 @ $21.97 • Sika ¾’ Backer Rod 5 @ $ 7.05 • Sakrete 50-lb. Play Sand 1 @ $ 4.35 Walmart: • WEN 7-amp angle grinder 4½” 1 @ $21.83 Amazon: • DeWalt DW4725 Diamond Blade for Masonry 1 @ $7.99 • Backer Rod, ¼” x 100’ 1 @ 10.88 You can do this. If dad and SYT Gubba can, so can you. Remember to be careful but not meticulous. It’s a driveway. No one will notice a little dribble here or there. Thank you Gubba and dad for motivating me to do this. My driveway looks terrific, even if I am the only one who notices.
I read viewer comments just to find the hidden gems like yours. Thank you for the written shopping that I can screenshot and take with me along with her list. My first time watching her and I subscribed. 👍 👍 2 thumbs up to all of you.
@Shrine Clown Hello. The sand you blow off the next day? I read other places, that you blow off after few minutes. What’s best, and why? Also, some say to sprinkle mortar powder, instead of sand. Which is better/best, and why? I appreciate it. Thank you very much.
thanks to your pops! and thank you for finally appreciating when a dude/doer is doing so you don't have to spend money on a "something/issue/CONTRACTOR" DIY= materials and Time. My wife doesn't get the time factor after watching the renovation, flip flop, house flip shows (30 minute show and 15-20 other people doing it/stuff off camera) one person, doing it right takes a while! 2 people cuts the time by 1/2-1.95 of the time
Very cool to meet GubPa! And great video! Really informative! This is exactly the time that having the hot tub there would be great, it might be really warm, but it could help relax away all the back pain.
Finished up my driveway yesterday morning. All of the joints look pretty decent. May have used too much sealant in some of the cracks but I think it looks good. Thank you for the video!
I gotta say i love the sandals and white socks 👍 gubba in style as always. also GubDad looks super cool, guess gubba missed out when the coolness was given down the generation 🤔
The best thing to fill cracks with is lime. Broom it in , then take a blower and lightly skim the surface to remove excess lime . Then water it very lightly and let it set up.
Very good job! I have installed sealants professionally for over 40 years, and have literally caulked miles of these type joints and cracks. You did almost a professional job.If you ever have to do this again I have a few minor suggestions to guarantee the maximum life out of your sealant.
1. Before installing the backer rod, wire brush the joints and cracks to clean them.( we wire brush even new concrete) you will be amazed at the amount of dirt.
2. The ultimate profile for sealant is “) (“ where the top and bottom of the diagram are the sides of the joint. And should 1/2 as deep as wide.. since you are using self leveling and not tooling , the top won’t have this shape so try to be as perfect as possible when installing the backer rod. Be very consistent on depth and don’t twist it. Don’t use a screw driver to install it, use something wider like a 5 in 1 painters tool. It’s much easier to get consistent depth. And less chance of puncturing the rod. Puncturing can cause bubbles.
3. Technically the meandering cracks should be opened up enough to use backer rod. Nobody is going to do that. ( even pros very rarely do that) the next best thing is a “V” shaped “ crack chaser”blade on a mini grinder. Much easier to follow the crack and does a better job.
4. Use primer. Most sealants say something like “ primer not required” but if you go to sikas professional website you will find they make a primer for concrete. As a professional if there is ever a premature failure the first thing the manufacturer will ask is “ did you prime” we prime almost everything. It is cheap insurance.
Like I said you did a very good job and these minor things are pretty much the only things separating your work from professional work.
BTW I was very impressed by your dad keeping most of the sealant in the crack when it came out of the tube unexpectedly. Most people would have panicked and sealant would be everywhere.
Again good job.👍👍👍
Kudos to Gubba and dad for accomplishing so much in just 3½ hours and for a great result. I did my driveway almost exactly how they did it with similar results but I am going to offer a few details that might help. Above all, plan ahead. I bought everything online or via curbside pickup except 2 extra tubes of sealant. Take whatever time you need to gather materials and check the weather before you proceed. First, buy knee pads. Period. Also, estimate how much Sika sealer you will need and buy double that amount - you can always return leftovers later. Before going to the cash register be sure they are all the same color and that the back end is not damaged. The 29-oz. sealer is a better deal than 10.1 oz. but more importantly, you won’t be changing tubes in the middle of a long run. Buy new heavy duty caulk guns; your hands will thank you. Keep rags and paint thinner available and pay attention to what Gubba said about wearing gloves. I used mechanics’ gloves and removed them from time to time, only to get sealant on my hands; that stuff stains skin.
Cracks vary significantly by width and depth. It is difficult to determine which backer rod will fit best until you try them. Use a paint stirrer to force the backer rod deep into the cracks. I have 1½ bags of ¾” x 20’ left over but used all of the ¼” x 100’ bag. I bought a 4½” angle grinder and wheel because I could not see opening wayward cracks with a big carpenters’ power saw. The smaller grinder worked great. Also, backer rod splits easier with scissors than with a utility knife.
After you have applied the Sikaflex and while it is tacky - NOT WET - apply a thin layer of sand to it. Blow if off the next day. This will cause your new joints to blend in perfectly with your concrete.
Here is the list of materials I bought for sealing 105’ of expansion and wayward cracks:
Home Depot (although Lowes’ prices are identical):
• Husky Low Profile Work Knee Pads 1 @ $ 9.97
• Sikaflex Self-leveling Sealant, 29 oz. 3 @ $13.47
• Sikaflex Self-leveling Sealant, 10.1 oz. 5 @ $ 8.45
• HDX Heavy Duty Caulk Gun 1 @ $ 9.97
• HDX 29 oz. H.D. Caulk Gun 1 @ $21.97
• Sika ¾’ Backer Rod 5 @ $ 7.05
• Sakrete 50-lb. Play Sand 1 @ $ 4.35
Walmart:
• WEN 7-amp angle grinder 4½” 1 @ $21.83
Amazon:
• DeWalt DW4725 Diamond Blade for Masonry 1 @ $7.99
• Backer Rod, ¼” x 100’ 1 @ 10.88
You can do this. If dad and SYT Gubba can, so can you. Remember to be careful but not meticulous. It’s a driveway. No one will notice a little dribble here or there. Thank you Gubba and dad for motivating me to do this. My driveway looks terrific, even if I am the only one who notices.
I read viewer comments just to find the hidden gems like yours. Thank you for the written shopping that I can screenshot and take with me along with her list. My first time watching her and I subscribed.
👍 👍 2 thumbs up to all of you.
@Shrine Clown Hello. The sand you blow off the next day? I read other places, that you blow off after few minutes. What’s best, and why?
Also, some say to sprinkle mortar powder, instead of sand. Which is better/best, and why? I appreciate it. Thank you very much.
Angle grinder with a 4 inch masonry grinding wheel
I was looking for this suggestion. The circular saw is too large, it blocks the work being done, and is unwieldy
thanks to your pops! and thank you for finally appreciating when a dude/doer is doing so you don't have to spend money on a "something/issue/CONTRACTOR"
DIY= materials and Time.
My wife doesn't get the time factor after watching the renovation, flip flop, house flip shows (30 minute show and 15-20 other people doing it/stuff off camera)
one person, doing it right takes a while!
2 people cuts the time by 1/2-1.95 of the time
Glad you’re uploading again
nice job girl!
Woah - suns out guns out! Gubpa is an animal! Nice work, team.
Great tip thanks
very nice and helpful . Thanks Gub and Pa
Very cool to meet GubPa! And great video! Really informative! This is exactly the time that having the hot tub there would be great, it might be really warm, but it could help relax away all the back pain.
Oh my gosh you’re adorable. Great video. Just what I needed. I’m actually going to attempt to do this on my driveway.
Finished up my driveway yesterday morning. All of the joints look pretty decent. May have used too much sealant in some of the cracks but I think it looks good. Thank you for the video!
Very kool. I like your little fangs! 😊
Look at you getting handy and doing (a little) work 😏. Proud of you!
And I've been waiting to see GubPa for years. He's cool.
Not sure I would have trusted Gubba with a saw but awesome vid. Nice to finally get to meet gubPa.
Great video, thanks!
You’re awesome Gubba!
Great motivation video, thanks.
I gotta say i love the sandals and white socks 👍 gubba in style as always.
also GubDad looks super cool, guess gubba missed out when the coolness was given down the generation 🤔
The best thing to fill cracks with is lime. Broom it in , then take a blower and lightly skim the surface to remove excess lime . Then water it very lightly and let it set up.
great job gubb... ✅
noticed the ballcap change -- 🤔
#homeimprovement
sandals and socks = best video
Can you come and do my driveway? lol you and your dad make a good team!
Never mess with an angry Gubba when she has a circular saw...
@@GubbaHomestead You did a cracking job! (like what I did there?) :D
Why we need to use the saw? Why the sealant can't get into the regular cracking ? Seems like caulking
What's the song at the end?
How did this hold up after a couple of years? we get hot summers and cold winters. Will it work in this climate?
It held up great and didn't need any repairs once I moved. It worked so well I'm now doing it at the new homestead!
@@GubbaHomestead Thank you.
Where is the footage of the finished project?
Nice video 👌
So I am now using *Sika* , I remember from the 70s and there was alot cracks filled . Anyway will apply today ?
That GubPa is a Legend!
How do you remove this, I have got it on spots where I don't want it and now its not coming off easy
DIY With GubbleGum and Pops!!
The best part was the ejoy time whit daddy right.
Probably saved a lot of money not getting a professional
Just like Tim Allen from Home Improvement
Hii Gubba! 😁
Lol... from the thumbnail, I thought she was a 20 year old guy
Gubdadtv 😃😃👷
😂😂😂